EFFORTS OF HADITH SCHOLARS ON SINGLE HADITH COMMENTARY, EXAMPLE OF HADITH “RELIGION IS ADVICE”

جهود المحدِّثين في شرح جوامع الكلم حديث «الدينُ النصيحةُ» أنموذجاً

Abstract

We see from the work of the hadith scholars (muhaddithun) that they gave much importance in explaining and comentating on singular hadiths. Rather, many hadith scholars continued to explain specific hadiths, particularly those considered to be of the comprehensive words of wisdom (jawami al-kalım) from the Prophet Allah bless him and grant him peace. This consistent commentary throughout the last 15 centuries allows us to continually benefit from his precious words, especially in new matters that arise and require new rulings and answers. In this article, I present a definition of the comprehensive words of wisdom (jawami al kalim), followed by a glimpse into the aims of the scholars who wrote commentaries on singular hadiths, and the rich Islamic heritage that produced works that have been a source of pride over the centuries.I then elaborated the efforts of hadith scholars in composing commentaries on the hadith "Actions are by their intentions," and the hadith of Umm Zar'. I thereafter return to the hadith, "the religion is sincere advice," mentioning its chain of transmission, its merits, and comparing two eminent works that commentate on it: Al-Nasiha Al-Kafiya by Sheikh Ahmad Zarruq (d. 899 AH) and Rashhat Al-Nasih by Sheikh Al-Islam Muhammad Dabbagh Zadeh (d. 1114 AH).  I strove to encompass many hadiths in my research, this offers tremendous benefit for future researchers hoping to benefit from these hadiths. I then engaged in some hadith criticism (naqd), analysis (tahlil), and comparison.By this, I concluded my work, showing that multiple commentaries on a single hadith offers great benefit by exposing a diversity of talents and cultural differences. No book can truly replace another, as it is said, "How much did the early scholars leave for the later scholars?" Had the later scholars relied on the works of their predecessors and not contributed their own, much of the religious sciences would have been lost, and it would have been difficult for later scholars to grasp the true intent of the Qur'an and Sunnah. And truly Allah is behind one's striving, and He alone guides to the true path.